Jerseyville drug arrest leads DEA to cartels

9 arrests, $1.5M worth of meth seized

JERSEYVILLE — A traffic stop by Jerseyville police officers in June has led to an ongoing federal investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Southern California.

The investigation has resulted in nine arrests and the confiscation of more than 35 pounds of meth with a street value of more than $1.5 million.

“This is a unique case, no doubt about it,” Police Chief Brad Blackorby said Thursday.

Making drug-related arrests stemming from traffic stops is not unusual for the department, but most have all area ties.

“It’s probably more common than you think,” he said. “We have a lot of stops that lead to drug arrests. This one just happened to be something where we needed the assistance of the DEA.”

He said the DEA continues to keep in touch with them.

“The drug epidemic is not going away,” Blackorby said. “We continue to battle it in our community. If we can help out with one of our cases, that’s a bonus.”

The St. Louis and Metro East area is a well-known drug trafficking pipeline, as interstates converge, connecting to all corners of the country.

The investigation began June 18 when Jerseyville police officers stopped a vehicle for reckless driving. Five bags of methamphetamine weighing about 2,000 grams and valued at about $200,000 were discovered in the vehicle.

The driver, referred to by police as “John Doe,” was arrested on charges of methamphetamine trafficking, methamphetamine delivery, methamphetamine possession and having no rear registration light.

During interrogations, police determined John Doe was running meth and other contraband from Southern California to the Midwest, and was connected to the Tijuana and Sinaloa drug cartels.

A joint operation between the Jerseyville Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency was set up. Using information provided by the Jerseyville police DEA agents were able to set up a drug operation in Southern California, conducting multiple drug purchases.

Officials with the DEA’s St. Louis office did not respond to a request for information as of early Thursday afternoon.